Ricotta fritters

This Italian dessert uses the classic combination of chocolate and orange, which is always a winner. The fritters are very light in texture, yet rich in flavour, and they’re particularly more-ish.

SERVES 6 (makes about 18)

PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes (+ 15 minutes standing)

COOKING TIME 15–18 minutes

460 g (1 lb ¼ oz/2 cups) firm, fresh ricotta cheese

55 g (2 oz/¼ cup) caster (superfine) sugar

3 eggs, lightly whisked

1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract

50 g (1¾ oz) glacé orange, chopped (see tip)

75 g (2¾ oz) dark chocolate, chopped

125 g (4½ oz) self-raising flour, sifted

Vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Icing (confectioners’) sugar and/or full-flavoured honey, to serve

1 Combine the ricotta, caster sugar, eggs and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor and process until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the side of the bowl occasionally. Add the glacé orange and chocolate (pic 1) and use the pulse button to process briefly to combine. Add the flour and process until just combined. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for 15 minutes (if the weather is warm, put the batter in the refrigerator).

2 Heat enough oil for deep-frying in a medium saucepan (it should be 7–8 cm/2¾–3¼ inches deep) over medium–low heat until it reaches 170°C (325°F) on a sugar thermometer, or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil turns golden brown in 20 seconds. Line a tray with several layers of paper towel.

3 Slide slightly heaped tablespoons of batter into the hot oil (pic 2). You should be able to cook about 8 fritters at a time, but make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook the fritters, carefully turning them once, for 5–6 minutes or until golden and cooked through (pic 3).

4 Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fritters to the lined tray to drain. Cook the remaining batter in batches, reheating the oil between each batch.

5 Serve immediately, dusted with icing sugar and with honey to drizzle over.

TIP Glacé orange is available from selected delicatessens, gourmet food stores and health food stores.